The world's least expensive cities

CaptionStretch your travel dollars

If you're looking to stretch your dollars and venture onto a road less traveled, consider visiting one of these 20 destinations. These cities have been ranked as the least expensive in the world by the 2009 Mercer Cost of Living Survey, released in July. As with travel to any unfamilia

If you're looking to stretch your dollars and venture onto a road less traveled, consider visiting one of these 20 destinations. These cities have been ranked as the least expensive in the world by the 2009 Mercer Cost of Living Survey, released in July. As with travel to any unfamilia

1. Johannesburg, South Africa Johannesburg is one of South Africas largest and wealthiest cities with close to 4 million residents. It is also home to a large-scale gold and diamond trade. Currency value change since 2008: 4% decrease. Read more:  Johannesburg tourism

1. Johannesburg, South Africa Johannesburg is one of South Africas largest and wealthiest cities with close to 4 million residents. It is also home to a large-scale gold and diamond trade. Currency value change since 2008: 4% decrease. Read more:  Johannesburg tourism (Jon Hrusa / EPA)

3. Asunción, Paraguay Asunción is the Spanish word for "assumption," referring to the Assumption of Mary, the belief in which the Virgin Mary was carried into heaven at the end of her life. Founded in 1537, it is one of the oldest cities in South America. Currency value change since 2008: 23

3. Asunción, Paraguay Asunción is the Spanish word for "assumption," referring to the Assumption of Mary, the belief in which the Virgin Mary was carried into heaven at the end of her life. Founded in 1537, it is one of the oldest cities in South America. Currency value change since 2008: 23 (Andres Cristaldo / EPA)

4. Karachi, Pakistan Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan and center of the countrys banking, industry and trade. Generating 25% of Pakistans gross domestic product, it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Currency value change since 2008: 7% decrease. Read more:  Pakistan...

4. Karachi, Pakistan Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan and center of the countrys banking, industry and trade. Generating 25% of Pakistans gross domestic product, it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Currency value change since 2008: 7% decrease. Read more:  Pakistan... (Asim Hafeez / Bloomberg News)